Rio de Janiero  - Brazil's former first lady Ruth Correia Leite Cardoso died of a heart attack at the age of 77, Brazilian media said Wednesday.

The wife of former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who was in office from 1995 to 2003, died Tuesday at her house in Sao Paulo, media reports said, quoting family doctors.

Her death followed several heart examinations last week after she had suffered intense chest pains.

Born on September 19, 1930, the anthropologist had been a highly regarded intellectual, teaching at the University of Sao Paulo and at universities in Chile, France and the United States. She published several books.

Berlin  - Despite a surge in demand in China and Brazil, Europe's b

Basle - Portuguese star striker Cristiano Ronaldo praised Spain Sunday and challenged the team coached by Luis Aragones to play the final of Euro 2008 against Portugal.

Asuncion - Paraguay beat Brazil 2-0 Sunday in Asuncion, with a solid performance from the host that cast many shadows on Brazil's path towards the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Sao Paulo - Several million people took part in the world's largest gay pride parade in the Brazilian commercial capital Sao Paulo which wound down early Monday after 10 hours of partying.

Brasilia- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Friday in Brasilia that a United South America can shift the global balance of power.

"South America, united, will move the board game of power in the world, not for its own benefit, but for everyone's," Lula said.

As he opened the summit to launch the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), the region's latest integration initiative, Lula stressed that the region can contribute to overcoming the current world food crisis, as long as it is autonomous.